(Editor’s note: As part of Bishop John C. Wester’s Stewardship: Our Way of Life appeal, this is one in a series of articles profiling outstanding examples of stewardship in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.) FILLMORE — Who would think that after 25 years of being in Utah, a parishioner would become a very devoted Catholic? Born in Guanajuato, Mexico, Fidel Urtado arrived in the southern part of the Beehive State. He rarely attended Mass. In the event that he did, he felt it was more of an obligation than a sacrament. "I was not involved at all in the parish activities and in the rare occasions that I attended Mass, I felt that I was going just for the fun of going," said Urtado. Nowadays everything is different. Music called, an invitation was extended, and Urtado answered. The Mass at Holy Family Mission in Fillmore is bilingual English/Spanish. However, the cantor sang only in English; there was no Spanish music. "Someone in the parish extended me the invitation to sing because nobody sang in Spanish," said Urtado, who began as the Spanish cantor. Now, together with his wife, Guadalupe, and their four children, he is also involved in everything that the parish needs. For example, a year ago, he started the effort to form a Charismatic group. "We are going slowly with the group but we are taking solid steps," said Urtado. Although it was by chance that Urtado started singing at the Masses, he is now "a very good example of a Steward," said Father Hernando Diaz, pastor. "Fidel loves the music and he does a really good job here in the parish. And he prays a lot." For Urtado, his participation and service at his parish is very important because "’God has given us a lot and this is a humble response to everything that He gives us," he said. "Serving the Church is very important because each person is different and has different qualities, but for me, serving gives me a lot of joy and I feel very happy. I would say to everyone that if they want to be really happy they need to get involved in their parishes." His wife, Guadalupe, has also been a very active member of the parish and both together make the service a daily part of their lives. "Since I started getting more involved I have understood all the good that serving your parish has," said Urtado. Stewardship as a way of life has been emphasized by the Most Rev. John C. Wester, Bishop of Salt Lake City, as an effort to involve all the Catholics in the diocese in their parish activities or in their daily lives. There are three aspects of stewardship: time, talent and treasure.
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